TOKYO, May 17 (NNN-NHK) – Japan’s main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party, submitted a no-confidence motion yesterday, against Finance Minister, Shunichi Suzuki, aiming to block a vote on a bill to increase defence spending.
By submitting the motion, the opposition party obstructed a vote on the bill, for securing funds for the planned defence spending boost, which was scheduled to be held in the Lower House Financial Affairs Committee, yesterday.
The Constitutional Democratic Party said in the motion that, defence spending increases are interfering with financial resources, earmarked for the reconstruction work in areas affected by earthquake, tsunami and nuclear disaster that occurred on Mar 11, 2011.
The party added that, they have no choice but to call the bill defective, as it has many problems, noting that the finance minister is trying to steamroller it through.
Jun Azumi, the Diet affairs chief of the Constitutional Democratic Party, said, the increased defence budget is disproportionately large, compared to Japan’s financial circumstances.
He said, lawmakers should not secure funds by taking away money, which should be spent on welfare and people in need, adding, they will take all possible measures to postpone the vote.
Takao Ochi of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, a senior member of the Lower House Financial Affairs Committee, told reporters, the bill has been debated for a month and he will make an all-out effort to have it passed in the Lower House and then send to the Upper House.– NNN-NHK
